Seahawks release Chris Clemons

What was one of the big salary cap-clearing moves left that the Seahawks could make appears to have happened, as NFL.com’s Albert Breer was the first to report that the team has released defensive end Chris Clemons.

The move, since confirmed by other sources, had been long-speculated since Clemons is due to make $9.6 million in 2014. Cutting him now creates a salary cap savings of $7.5 million.

Cutting Clemons could be a precursor to making another move — the team had Dallas DT Jason Hatcher in for a visit yesterday and has been reported to be in talks with Minnesota DE Jared Allen.

Clemons, who turned 32 on Oct. 30, started 11 games in 2013, missing the first two while still rehabbing an ACL surgery suffered in the playoff win over Washington in January, 2013. After making 33.5 sacks in 2010-2012, he had 4.5 in 2013.

Clemons was acquired prior to the 2010 season in a trade with the Eagles for DE DarrylTapp and a fourth-round pick that turned out to be DE E.J. Wilson).

More on this as it develops.

UPDATE: Here’s some Twitter reaction to the Clemons news from some Seahawk players:

Hate to see my boy @chrisclemons91 go… This business can be crazy at times…